• WHO ARE THE IGBOS?
  by Dr. Stella Enyi Nwokeji

WHO ARE THE IGBOS?

The Igbo tribe is one of the largest ethnic groups in Nigeria with more than 20 million Igbo speaking people. They inhabit the south-eastern part of Nigeria. Six states in Nigeria make up the Igbo speaking states: Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States. Other states with Igbo speaking indigenes include Akwa Ibom and River States. Today, Igbos are everywhere in the world in pursuit of western education and wealth. Igbo is the language for the Igbos and it is among the most excessive world language with more than 20 million speakers. Igbo language has dialects distinguishable by accents understood among the Igbos. The Igbo people are a resilient race, assiduous workers, and resourceful people who are able to acclimate to any change. They are a dignified community and they take pride in their culture. The Igbos put great emphasis on western education and individual preeminent achievements. It is not astounding that the Igbo tribe is one of the most highly educated tribes in Nigeria. Igbo legends have played significant roles in the advancement of not only the Igbo tribe but Nigeria as a whole. These legends include Sir Odimegwu Ojukwu (Biafran Leader) Chinua Achebe (Writer/Poet), King Jaja of Opobo (Founder of Opobo Cty), Chika Obi (Mathematician) and Dick Tiger Ihetu (Boxer). Legends in music include Oliver de’ Coque, Osita Osadebe, and Sir Warrior with bands such as Oriental Brothers, Peacock International, Founders, The Wings, The Apostles of Aba, and The Funkees.  Christian bands/Singers include Voice of the Cross, Methodist Choir Aba, and Patty Obassey.

DAILY LIFE: The Igbos are some of the most content people on earth. This can be seen with their indubitable ways of enjoying and adoring life and their colorful and enchanting ceremonies. They are known to dance in any occasion even funerals. Dressing in Igbo culture is a crucial element of the tribe. This, in Igbo culture, can depict one’s status and age. George wrappers, white blouses, head ties, and red coral beads are worn by women. Similarly, depending on the individual’s state of origin, red caps, red coral beads, “Isi agu” shirts, and pants with or without wrapper can be worn by men. In general, it is critical that an Igbo couple’s outfit compliments each other both in color and material. In Igbo culture, the oldest male in an extended family is the patriarch of the family. It is his responsibility to represent his clan “Umunna“ in meetings, gatherings, and  distinguished ceremonies. “Umuada”, on the other hand, are the daughters in the family who may or may not be married. They have an abundance of power and are revered with the responsibility of maintaining peace within their fathers’ families. While the oldest male in an extended family represents his family in gatherings, he is under the governance of his town’s ruler or king.  Although it is said that the Igbos do not have kings ,(“Igbo Enwe Eze”) a traditional ruler known as Eze or Igwe rules an entire autonomous community. All clans, umunna, and umuada are expected to heed the traditional ruler the respect expected of his throne and status.

FAMILY/MARRIAGE: Igbos are known for their communal lives and believe that it takes a village to raise a child. Children are the most treasured in the Igbo land because they are believed to be gifts from God. They are thought to belong to an extended family and not just to their parents. In addition, significance is usually laid on the importance of a male child rather than a female child. A female child is expected to get married outside the home while a male child stays with his father and inherits from him. In traditional Igbo culture, a marriage is a union of two families rather than a man and a woman. Both the groom’s and bride’s families are involved in the marriage process. With this type of involvement, any conflict between a husband and a wife is expected to be mediated by both families. In most cases, these mediations— which are usually done by the couple’s parents— can prevent divorces. In Igboland, a divorce must be finalized by paying back the dowry paid on a bride.  When this is not the case, the bride’s ex-husband can lay claims to the children born to the new husband. It is not unwonted for an Igbo man to have more than one wife. Polygamy is practiced more by non-Christian Igbos. Most Igbo Christians engage in monogamous marriages.

It is customary for a man to take care of his brother’s wife and children and even transits into marrying of the wife if his brother dies. However, with Christianity, education, and civilization, this tradition is gradually declining.  Appreciation for old age is one aspect of Igbo culture not affected by  civilization and western societal influence. Igbos view aging as an indication of wisdom, experience, and maturity. All Igbos take care of their children so that they can cater for them during their advancing years. Since nursing homes and social security benefits are not customary to the Igbos, it is normal for elderly parents to live with their children and/or grandchildren until they pass away.

RELIGION:  Christianity dominates the southern part of Nigeria; Igbos are mostly Christians.  However, indigenous religions still exist and are sometimes synonymous with idol worshipping and polytheism.  Polytheistic Igbos worship several gods whom they believe are their ancestors. Their supreme god is called “chukwu” and is always accorded respect. Their ancestors are sometimes invoked to preside over major Igbo cultural events. In a typical Igbo event such as Iri-ji,(New Yam Festival) a traditional ruler, chief or  titled man can pour libation to invoke the presence of his ancestors to affirm a successful event. Libation involves pouring hard liquor or alcoholic beverages on the ground while rousing their ancestors to bless the event and the guests.

FESTIVALS: The Igbos are known for their love for music and dance. They are referred to as “tribe of dancers.” They enjoy music of different genres such as Modern music, Highlife, Afro Sounds, Nigerian Blues, and Bongo. Igbos are also creative performers and entertainers. They engage in many festivals and ceremonies such as traditional marriages, weddings, naming ceremonies, New Yam Festivals, coronations, and funerals. During happy occasions, such as traditional marriages or weddings, Kolanut is used to welcome guests. This is a caffeine containing fruit of a cola tree which comes in lobes. A four lobe kolanut is preferred in Igbo culture. Kolanut is expected in any Igbo occasion and plays a vital role. It symbolizes goodwill, hospitality and goes through various rituals before it is consumed. Its absence requires explanatory apology from the host. Green garden eggs “Afufa” can also be presented as an alternative to welcome guests although it is the less preferred option. Sometimes, kolanut can be served with or without “Afufa”.  Igbo cuisines, delicious and surplus, are served in Igbo ceremonies.  Some  of the food consumed are yams, fufu, pounded yam,  breadfruits (Ukwa), moi moi, Nkwobi, Oil bean (ugba-African salad), soups (vegetable, Oha, bitterleaf, Equsi, Okro, Ogbono, and goat pepper soups), Plantain, Cassava, Maize, Rice and Stew. Palmwine is the official drink in any Igbo event. It is an alcoholic beverage extracted from the detached flower of a palm trees. It plays a sacred and significant role in traditional marriages in Igbo land.

Traditional marriages and weddings are two of the most celebrated social events in Igbo culture. These can be very expensive and extensive depending on the families and couples involved. In a traditional marriage, a man is expected to pay a bride price also known as a dowry. Dowries are sometimes compensatory monetary gifts paid to the bride’s family for the bride’s upbringing including her education. They are paid at the discretion of the bride’s family who may demand high bride price or decline dowry all together. It is believed that no amount of dowry can equate the upbringing or education of a female child, however, dowry payment is symbolic in Igboland. As a joke, grooms are usually asked to bring another dowry when their wives give birth to children.

Naming ceremonies are celebrated elaborately as with traditional marriages. The ceremony is symbolic because the Igbos believe that a name given to a child influences his or her character as well as his or her future. In this regard, care and time is taken in deciding a name for a new- born child. Sometimes, the circumstances leading to a child’s birth, day of the week, or the death of a loved one plays a role in naming a child. While funerals are not celebrated in some culture, in Igbo land, funerals can be celebratory, especially when an old and accomplished Igbo man or woman dies. Funerals can be colorful and very expensive too. Since the Igbos believe in incarnation, the birth of child shortly after a death of a loved one brings joy and happiness to the bereaved.

The above gives a nutshell of our rich culture as Igbo people. Igbos are always seen as ambassadors of their families and of the Igbo tribe anywhere they are. They are admired everywhere because of their contributions and involvement in their resident community or country. They are also known for their educational, political, social, and economic achievements. Igbo Diasporas play major roles in helping their country of origin by contributing to poverty alleviation, maintenance of schools, churches, and roads, healthcare development, and electrification of towns.

In our community here in Memphis, Igbo Association of Memphis Metro Area (IGUMMA) is an Igbo organization to the core. We are one extended family united by our epic Igbo organization (IGUMMA). We thrive to maintain those values that make us Igbos while instilling in our children the importance of our culture and heritage.  We may come from different states in the southeastern part of Nigeria but we are from ONE Igbo ancestry. The ties we have from our culture, language, and same sense of purpose MUST bind us together so that we can pass these values to the next generation of IGUMMA, OUR CHILDREN!

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_people

http://www.africaguide.com/culture/index.htm`

COPYRIGHTED 2013 – Dr. Stella Enyi Nwokeji